Traveling with your pet on pet-friendly public transportation

by jmaloni

Press release

Wed, Sep 4th 2013 07:00 am

by TripswithPets.com

Whether you and your furry best friend
are brand new in town and want to see the sights, or you'd just like to venture
out using public transportation, you'll be pleased to know that many bus lines,
subways and trains in cities across the country and in Canada do accommodate pet travel.

Unfortunately, long-distance, pet-friendly
public transit options are very limited at the moment. Amtrak, America's only
cross-country train track, currently only allows service dogs. The same is true
for Canada's cross-country train system, the VIA, and for the interstate
Greyhound bus line.

There is some hope on the horizon for
those who love the idea of riding the rails with their pets. A bill introduced
in May would require Amtrak to propose a policy that designates at least one
pet friendly car on each train and allows passengers to bring dogs or cats
aboard as either cargo or carry-on, provided they are safely enclosed in
carriers. This bill would make great strides toward making long-distance travel
with pets easier and more affordable. To help get it passed, please contact your
state's house representative.

For now, getting around town with your
pet on public transportation will have to suffice. While regulations vary from
city to city and region to region, in general, only small animals (usually
dogs) are allowed on buses and trains, and typically must be transported in
enclosed cases. You will likely be asked to pay full fare for your pet, and
you'll have to ensure that your pet is well behaved and quiet so that he or she
doesn't disturb other passengers.

Below is a short list of states and
cities that offer pet-friendly transit. It's important that you contact your
local transit authority to verify that its transportation is, in fact, pet
friendly. If you don't see your city here, call anyway; many transit
authorities don't openly advertise their transit pet policies.

Northeastern Region

•Boston: In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
allows small dogs on its subway, bus and rail systems. On the subway, leashed
dogs can ride during off-peak hours if they're kept under your control, don't
bother other riders and don't take up a seat. During rush hours, small pets
must be carried in a lap-sized enclosed container. Small dogs are also allowed
on the T-Bus System and the T Commuter Rail System.

•New York: Getting around NYC
with your little dog - or even your cat - is no problem in the Big Apple. The
MTA notes that "small domesticated animals" are allowed on New York City transit subways and buses, the New York Long Island Railroad and the Metro-North Railroad. On subways, buses and
the Long Island Railroad, pets must be secured in lap-sized carriers. On the
Metro-North Railroad, both leashed dogs and pets in enclosed containers are
allowed, but they must not occupy a seat or disturb other passengers.

•Florida: Central Florida's LYNX transportation system features
290 public buses that traverse three counties. Small dogs are allowed on the
buses - provided they ride in a closed pet container that fits on your lap.

•Texas: According to a
customer service representative from Dallas Area Rapid Transport, pets are allowed
on buses, the rail system, and the commuter train, but they must travel in a
pet taxi.

Midwestern Region

•Ohio: The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority,
or RTA, allows pets under 35 pounds to travel on trains and buses, provided
they are enclosed in a container and under the immediate care of their owner at
all times.

•Illinois: The Chicago Transit Authority allows small dogs on
its buses and trains. However, they must be in carriers, they can't take up a
seat, and they must be well-behaved best behavior.

•Colorado: In Denver, small
dogs can ride the RTD buses and light rail, if they're securely
contained in hard shell carriers.

•Washington: In Seattle, large
and small dogs are allowed on King County Metro Transit buses, at the sole
discretion of the bus driver. If your animal is poorly behaved, smells
less-than-pleasant, or annoys other riders, or if there are already dogs on the
bus, the driver can refuse to allow you and your dog to board. If your dog does
ride, he must be on a leash and under your control at all times.

Canada

•Toronto: In Toronto, Ontario,
dogs of any size are allowed on the Toronto Transit Commission's buses and trains,
providing they ride before or after rush hour, show no signs of aggression, and
remained leashed or crated and under your control at all times.

If your dog enjoys adventures, likes
people and tolerates noise and crowds well, public transportation can be an
excellent way for you to see the sights, or simply get from point A to point B
efficiently. For more information, contact your local transit authority. And
don't forget to show your support for the Amtrak bill!

About
TripsWithPets.com

TripsWithPets.com is an online resource for
pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, TripsWithPets.com's
mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy and safe
while traveling. The website features a directory of pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across
the U.S. and Canada, as well as airline and car rental pet policies;
pet-friendly restaurants, beaches and events; a user-friendly route search
option; pet travel tips; pet travel supplies; and
other pet travel resources.

Author
Kim Salerno is the president and founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the
pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her
mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy and safe in their travels.